About Rona 🐶 + Dad (John)
Although I’m unable to walk far perhaps our routes will inspire you to plan your own walk in the general location featured and routes that we take?
www.instagram.com/rona.cockerpoo
3,085 km
968:20 h
Recent Activity
- Rona 🐶 + Dad (John)6 days ago
The walkies on Gorley Common, the best kept secret in the New Forest, today was preceded by a piggy encounter in Gorley Vale. The extended Pannage season ends on 2nd January, they won't be out again until September.
- Rona 🐶 + Dad (John)December 25, 2025
Rona followed Her Master’s steady gait across the "untameable" Mellstock Wood this Christmas Day, walking in the footsteps of Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), close to his birthplace.
He paused to scan the horizon toward the grey towers of Casterbridge, looking every bit the Wessex hero while she did some
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
3 days ago
Oh dear! Madam's blotted her previously excellent behaviour record when near New Forest ponies. Today, as we descended from the Black Barrow at Linwood she decided to wish a pony "Happy New Year". I'm afraid it was a rather over-the-top greeting .... She did respond to instant recall but not before she'd attempted once more to say hello. Sent to the doghouse upon arrival home!
00:13
507m
2.3km/h
0m
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
4 days ago
A very brief return visit to Woodhenge so that madam could have a bit of a run around as she'd had to be on lead when we were at Imber. Very atmospheric in this morning's mist. Nearby Stonehenge entirely invisible today, ditto Salisbury Cathedral!
00:05
245m
3.3km/h
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
4 days ago
Imber is a deserted, uninhabited village on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, used by the British Army for training since its residents were evacuated in 1943 for WWII preparations, with the promise of return never kept. It's a unique time capsule, featuring an original church (St. Giles) and modern military training structures, accessible to the public only on specific open days, usually around Christmas and Easter, allowing exploration of the historic village and its poignant past. It is accessed via a 3.5 mile military road from the A360, approximately 3 miles beyond Tilshead towards Devizes.
00:44
2.64km
3.6km/h
10m
10m
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
December 25, 2025
A Christmas Day walk in Thomas Hardy’s birthplace.
00:30
940m
1.9km/h
0m
10m
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
December 23, 2025
A very short and gentle walk. I’m recovering from Covid infection!
00:08
288m
2.1km/h
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
December 20, 2025
Yew Tree Heath is a vast area of heathland, at elevation, with far reaching views, eg Southampton Docks cranes. It’s approximately halfway between Hythe and Lyndhurst. Its proximity to the docks meant that anti-aircraft gunning positions were established during WW2 to provide some protection for the dock area from enemy attack. One of those sites was our destination today. It’s just a big earthen bump in an otherwise flat area, now covered in grass and brambles. The two panoramic images posted here are the views east and west from the top of the mound.
00:29
1.50km
3.1km/h
0m
0m
Rona 🐶 + Dad (John) went for a hike.
December 19, 2025
There were more ponies than cricketers at Hyde Common this afternoon!
00:19
726m
2.3km/h
0m
0m
Ugh! Silly me, attempting to visit on a busy day after the church was featured on the BBC News website a couple of days ago ... it was bedlam inside the church! Three paces inside I turned around and departed immediately. I far prefer visiting churches that are serene and respectful. You cannot appreciate